Our goal is that everyone attending BNI Baltic Convention'24 get the most value from the event, so we have put together a series of educational articles to help you prepare for the conference. Previous article "Why go to the event?" we told you how important it is to be aware of your reasons for going to the conference, to set a specific goal, to study the conference program and to create your action plan. In this article, we'll introduce 5 practical steps you can take before the conference:
1. Prepare an Elevator pitch in multiple languages
As this will be a conference with international participants and guests, make sure that your presentation is memorable and understandable for people from other countries.
The perfect pitch: prepare a precise and convincing pitch so that it is clear to everyone who hears it who you are, what you do and what you want to achieve. Try fitting into 30s.
Practice: Adapt your pitch to an international audience and even if you are not fluent in other languages you can practice beforehand so you can present yourself and your company confidently during the conference. If you are not confident in your English skills or want to impress a special conference participant by speaking to them in their native language, write your pitch down on a post-it note or on your phone. Everyone will appreciate the extra effort you've put in.
2. Create professional business cards and handouts
Even though we live in a digital age, business cards are still an important element at business conferences. A well thought-out business card that fits your personality or brand can make a big impression on potential business partners.
Business cards: Make sure you have enough business cards in your stock. Business cards should clearly state your name, title, company and contact details. Consider also adding a QR code to your LinkedIn profile or company website.
Other physical materials: Use your creativity or ask your marketing team for help to design special brochures, product samples or other interesting materials that will leave a lasting impression and stimulate discussion about your business.
3. Review and improve your social media content
In the digital world, social networks are an important part of building a successful image - both for your personal image and for the overall image of your business.
Check your company website: Make sure your company website is in good working order, with up-to-date information on current projects and a clear overview of your company's activities.
Update your LinkedIn profile: Check that your LinkedIn profile information is up-to-date for your current position, that your profile picture is professional enough and that your profile summary is compelling.
Don't forget about your private social network profiles: Carefully review your private social network profiles to make sure they are relevant to your professional goals and give the right impression of who you are.
Virtual portfolio: If you are in the creative industry or want to gather your work and projects in one place, consider creating your own virtual portfolio. This will make it easier for people who meet you at the conference to get a more detailed picture of your work when looking for more information about you.
4. Prepare thoughtful questions and phrases for effective networking
Pre-prepared questions and phrases to start conversations can make the networking experience more productive and can help avoid awkward moments of silence.
Questions: Develop carefully thought-out questions related to the themes of the conference or the interests of the people you plan to meet. This will show your interest in the interlocutor's point of view and field of work.
Givers Gain philosophy: Referring to the BNI values, prepare questions that focus on how you can help others in their business development. This approach can create a positive foundation for future collaboration opportunities.
5. Choose clothing and accessories that present a professional image
Your clothing and accessories play an important role in creating a professional and confident image, which influences the first impression of both you and your company.
Choosing wisely: When planning your conference outfit, make sure it's comfortable enough, presentable enough, businesslike enough, and reflects the company you represent and your personality. People do business with people, so don't overdo it with clothes you don't feel comfortable in. Don’t forget to grab a bag to carry all the promo materials and business cards you might get during the conference.
Conclusions
Thoughtful preparation for the conference will allow you to get the most value from the event. With a plan of action, an accurate list of your most wanted contacts, the perfect pitch, business cards and other handouts ready, and your social networks organised, you will be well prepared to make new and meaningful business contacts and achieve your goals for the conference and beyond.
Happy networking!
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